Esty Got $7,500 Fee From United Illuminating

"It boggles the mind," Cafero said. "Here's what I thought about the $15,000 that he earned at the speech Monday: Picture yourself being an attorney, and you schedule what you hope to be a big case, but you've also applied for a judgeship. … All of a sudden, the governor nominates you as a judge, and the legislature confirms you and you're sworn in. Can you imagine then going to the governor and telling him, 'Prior to becoming a judge I scheduled this trial, and I want permission to go [and try the case], and I want permission to pocket the money.'"

Cafero questioned Esty's statement that it's OK to accept $15,000 to speak as an author outside the commissioner's role — saying that his topic is still environmental and energy policy, which is "directly related to the subject" of his state job.

As to the $7,500 that Esty was paid by UI to speak in 2009, Cafero said it shows the inconsistency of the five-year standard that the commissioner adopted for his "recusal list" and that Malloy said he agrees with.

"This is yet another example of this administration saying one thing and doing another," Cafero said. "This administration screamed at the top of their lungs that [its] hallmark … was going to be 'transparency.' … This is transparency? It's the murkiest, darkest thing I've heard of."

"My advice to the governor," Cafero said, "is to recognize how this looks and smells and feels to the public" and to order Esty to "make a full disclosure" to him of all the jobs he received a fee for, including "when they started, when they ended, and what he got" for payment. Then the governor should evaluate it and disclose it, Cafero said.

As to Jepsen's opinion that the commissioner's role in the utilities process is OK under the new law that created DEEP, Cafero said he's been saying from the start that the new law is "fundamentally wrong."

Schain gave this reaction: "The commissioner totally agrees with Rep. Cafero's concern for transparency in government. That's why he previously released his recusal list and that's why he will release a list of the speaking engagements for which he received compensation over the past five years. That is also why Commissioner Esty has consulted carefully with the state ethics office every step of the way in making a careful transition from his private life to his role as a public official."